The Mokokchung district administration has intensified enforcement against the sale and possession of liquor following the deaths of eight people in the district after the suspected consumption of adulterated liquor, with police arresting 25 persons so far (19 in Mokokchung and 6 at Mangkolemba) constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Mangkolemba case and launching district-wide raids to prevent suspected liquor from reaching other areas.
Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma said the administration convened a coordination meeting with police, Excise officials, civil society organisations, village and ward authorities and other stakeholders in view of the deaths reported from Mangkolemba subdivision and other parts of the district. He said police, the administration and the Excise Department were undertaking corrective and preventive measures, including raids and seizures across the district.
Mokokchung Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said six persons have been arrested in connection with the Mangkolemba Police Station case, while an SIT headed by the Additional Superintendent of Police Mokokchung I Bunglang Chang has been constituted to investigate the case. He said the investigation was progressing and that the preliminary inquiry had indicated that the suspected liquor may have originated from a neighbouring state.
However, police said the source and nature of the liquor have not yet been conclusively established. Samples of the suspected liquor and biological material from the deceased are being sent for forensic examination before further conclusions are drawn.
Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on four of the deceased. Police said viscera and other relevant samples collected during the post-mortems, along with seized liquor, will be sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory (CFL), Guwahati, for scientific examination next week. The police said efforts would be made to have the forensic examination expedited.
19 arrested in district-wide liquor raids
As an immediate preventive measure following the Mangkolemba deaths, Mokokchung Police conducted raids on September 24 across the district amid concern that suspected spurious or adulterated liquor could have been distributed to other areas. The operation covered the subdivisions as well as Mokokchung town.
The district-wide raids resulted in the arrest of 19 persons in addition to the six arrests in the Mangkolemba case.
According to the seizure details, MBA Police Station arrested six persons and seized 72 bottles of MC Rum (750 ml), 51 bottles of liquor (180 ml) and 113 cans of beer (500 ml).
MKG Police Station-II arrested three persons and seized 205 bottles of MC Rum (750 ml), 182 bottles of whisky (180 ml), 354 cans of beer (500 ml) and 30 bottles of vodka (180 ml).
MKG Police Station-I arrested five persons and seized 42 bottles of MC Rum (750 ml), 65 bottles of liquor (180 ml), 63 bottles of whisky (180 ml) and six cans of beer (500 ml).
Tuli Police Station arrested one person and seized 24 bottles of MC Rum (750 ml), 468 bottles of liquor (180 ml) and 23 cans of beer (500 ml).
CTN Police Station arrested two persons and seized three bottles of MC Rum (750 ml), five bottles of MC Rum (375 ml) and two bottles of liquor (180 ml).
KBG Police Station arrested two persons and seized 936 bottles of MC Rum (375 ml) and 144 bottles of liquor (180 ml).
The combined seizure from the district-wide raids comprised 346 bottles of rum in the 750-ml category, 941 bottles in the 375-ml category, 730 bottles in the 180-ml category, 496 cans of beer (500 ml), 245 bottles of whisky (180 ml) and 30 bottles of vodka (180 ml). The 19 persons arrested in these raids have been forwarded to judicial custody.
Kezo clarified that the 19 arrests were made in connection with the sale of liquor. He said the seized liquor would be subjected to forensic examination and that if any of it is established to be adulterated, separate action would follow.
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Police probe possible interstate source
The SP said investigation have so far found indications pointing towards a source in a neighbouring state, but stressed that the investigation is still at a preliminary stage.
Police are examining several possibilities, including liquor being brought into Nagaland from outside and adulterated within the state, or possible adulteration in border areas or neighbouring districts. Kezo said there was currently no evidence establishing that the suspected adulterated liquor was manufactured in Nagaland.
He said investigation had established that some liquor had been brought from outside the state, but the police would first have to establish through forensic examination whether the liquor contained adulterated substances. Since any action involving an interstate source would require sufficient evidence and due procedure, police said they were awaiting the forensic findings.
The Deputy Commissioner has also been requested to communicate with his counterpart in the neighbouring state for necessary action, according to the police.
Police have also raided the residence of a person allegedly linked to liquor consumed by a couple who subsequently died at Aliba village on September 25. According to Kezo, the person was absconding when police raided the house after recovering the bodies. Empty bottles were found at the residence and will also be sent for forensic examination. Police said efforts are underway to arrest him, as investigators believe he could provide important information regarding the source of the liquor.
Kezo further said investigators have a strong suspicion that some of the liquor seized from different locations may have originated from the same source or distillery. He noted that much of the liquor examined so far appeared to be MC Rum, but stressed that the actual source would have to be established through the investigation and forensic examination.
Administration seeks community support
At the coordination meeting, the administration and stakeholders resolved to intensify enforcement and work towards a zero-tolerance approach to liquor in Mokokchung district.
Verma said the meeting brought together Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), police, Excise officials, village council chairpersons from neighbouring villages, ward authorities and the Mokokchung Municipal Council, among others. The stakeholders were asked to support enforcement agencies in restricting the supply, possession and sale of liquor.
The DC said enforcement could not be sustained by government agencies alone and sought the cooperation of village councils, ward authorities, town and colony leaders, churches, civil society organisations and the wider public.
The administration has also directed the medical department to remain prepared to respond to emergencies arising during both daytime and nighttime. Verma said an advisory and Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare would also be circulated to the public through the media.
The Deputy Commissioner appealed to the public to stay away from liquor that could endanger life and urged churches and civil society organisations to sensitise communities about the risks.
Police, meanwhile, have appealed to the public and community organisations to provide information on the supply and sale of illicit liquor and cooperate with the ongoing investigation as the forensic examination and wider probe continue.
